Press cushion and chucking mechanism for wheel rims



Feb. 24, 1931. F. J. RODE 1,793,749

PRESS CUSHION AND CHUCKING MECHANISM FOR WHEEL RIMS Filed March 29, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hill,

F. J. RODE PRESS CUSHION AND CHUCKING MECHANISM FOR WHEEL RIMS Filed March 29. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 24, 1931. F. J. RODE 1,793,749

' PRESS CUSHION AND CHUCKING MECHANISM FOR WHEEL RIMS Filed March 29. 1929. 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 24, 1931. j RODE 1,793,749

PRESS CUSHION AND CHUCKING MECHANISM FOR WHEEL RIMS Filed March 29, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 24, 1931 umrao sr 'ras PATENT: OFFKZE ,FREDRICH J. none, or onroaoo, ILLINOIS, assrenon or own-3am r0 n onoLrE w.

GLASNEB, or CHICAGO, ILLINOISQAND ONE-HALF ro maunrrn TOOL & MFG. column, or cnroaeo, ILLINOIS, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS PRESS C'l JSHION AND CHUCKING MECHANISM FOR WHEEL RIMS Application filed March 29, 192 9. Serial 1T0. 350,991.

' This invention relates in general to presses 'for curling the rims of automobile wheels, but more specifically the invention relates'to cushioning means for equalizing the curling of the wheel rim. That is, if one edge of the rim should curl before the other, or if the curling should be uneven the pressure of the ram upon the rim will operate to force the pressure pad against the resistance of the cushion, and the cushion will operate as a balance-and will always cause the gripping jaws of the holding chuck of the wheel rim to be maintained in the center of the rim.

A further object is to provide improved chucking or holdingmechanism of this character which will be yieldingly supported by the cushion. I

To the attainmentof these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful obpartly in longitudinal section of a press hav-' ing a cushion and chucking means constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention applied thereto and showing the parts in the position which they will assume, when the ramof the press is up.

Figure 2 is a view simllar to Figure 1,

showing the position of the parts when the ram is in a partially lowered position and just before the commencement of the actual curling operation. 7

Figure 3 is. a view similar to Figure 2, showlng the position the parts will assume just at the completion of ation.

Fi re 4 is a view similar to Figure 3,

show ng the. position the parts will assume just before the ram reaches the limit of its upward movement.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designates generally the bed of a press having the usual opening 11 therein and across which opening is arranged the curling operv with the ram 15 of the press and co-operates with the die 13, the ram being reciprocated in the ordinary and well lmown manner.

Supported by the bolster plate 12 and depending therebelow are cushioning devices of any ordinary and well known construction but preferably embodying cylinders 16 within which pistons 17 are. reciprocable. The cylinders 16 are preferably open at their lower ends and the pistons 17 are held statlonary with respect to the bolster plate 12 referably by means ofthe piston rods 18 1sing secured or anchored to the bolster plate Any desired number of these cushioning devices may be employed, and interposed between the cushions or the cylinders 16 thereof and the bolster plate 12, is a pressure pad 19 which rests upon the closed ends of the cylinders 16 and the piston rods 18 pass loosely throngh the pressure pad, so that as the pressure pad 19 is reciprocated, the cylinders 16 will be correspondingly moved with respect to the pistons 17.

Fluid is supplied to the cushions from any suitable source of supply, preferablyfrom a fluid pressure tank 20 which receives its sup ply through a suitable pipe 21 having an ordinary pressure regulating valve 22 arranged therein and a pressure gauge 23. The fluid is delivered from the tank 20 to a pipe 24 from which a branch 25 may lead so as to supply the fluid through the respective pistons 17 and into the respective cylinders 16 so as to create a yielding resistancepressure in the c linders against which the pad 19 is mova e.

A projection 26- extends above the pressure pad 19 and projects into an opening 27 in the-bolster plate 12, the top of this rojection 26 being normally substantially lihsh with the top of the bolster 12, and the projection 26 may be formed separately from or integral withthe pressure pad 19.

Connected with the ram 15 and depending therefrom are rods or hanger members 28 which extend for a considerable distance below the bed 10 of the press, and supported by the lower extremities of these rods 28 is and nuts or collars 31 are threaded upon the rods 28 on each side of the respective sleeves 30 so that the cross head 29 may be adjusted lengthwise of the rods as desired.

piston.

Arranged below the pressure pad 19 and centrally of the press is a cylinder 32 of any desired diameter, and one end of the cylinder is preferably formed by the pressure pad 19 while the other end of the cylinder is closed by means of a head 33 having a tubular extension 34 depending therefrom, the opening in the extension 34 also opening through the head 33-so that an upright member 35 which is connected with the cross-head 29 may reciprocate in the extension 34, one end of the upright 35 being adapted to enter the cylinder 32.

This upright 35 is provided with a longitudinal passage 36 opening through the end thereof which is in proximity to the cylinder 32 and lateral openings 37 communicating with the opening 36 are provided so that any fluid in the cylinder 32 may escape to the atmosphere through the passage 36 and opening 37, in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

. A suitable packing 38 may be provided so as to form a fluid tight joint through which the member 35 reciprocates.

Arranged within the cylinder 32 is a piston 39 Which is provided with a packing 40 held in position by means of a suitable packing ring 41. The piston 39 is provided with any deslred number of openings 42 extending therethrough so as to form communications between the cylinder on opposite sides of the Spring controlled valves 43 control the openings 42 and the valves 43 are connccted together by means of a connecting member or plate 44 which operates to simultaneously unseat the valves 43 against the stress of the respective springs 45 when .the end of the upright member 35 contacts with the connecting member 44. This member 44 also, under such conditions, serves as a closure for closing the passage 36 in the member 35 to prevent the escape of fluid from the cylinder 32, a suitable packing 46 being preferably provided so as to insure a fluid tight joint.

In order to determine the position of the piston 39, when desired, in the cylinder 32, any suitable means may be provided, but there is preferably provided a gauge 47 which is secured to the piston 39 and this gauge is of a length to project beyond the cylinder and reciprocate within an opening 48 in the head 33. The gauge 47 ma be secured in position by means of a suita le fastening devicey49 anda packing 50 secured by suitablscrew 51 may be provided on the I end of the gauge 47 to form a fluid tight joint.

Thus, by inserting a measuring instrument into the opening 48 until it contacts with the end .of the gauge 47, the 39 may be determined.

. The piston 39 is secured to a piston rod 52, the latter preferably passing through the piston and having a shoulder 53 on its end and a nut 54 which co-operates with the head 53 to clamp the piston thereto. The piston rod 52 passes through an opening in the pressure pad 19 and suitable packing 55 may be position of the piston provided to form a fluid tight oint so that the fluid will not escape from the cylinder 32.

The end of the piston rod 52 is adapted to project into an opening 56 in the projection 26 of the pressure pad 19 and is provided with a threaded opening 57 opening through the end of the piston rod. Threaded into this opening 57 is one end of a rod 58 and carried by the free end of the rod 58 is a cam or .rest upon the projection 26 of the pressure pad 19.

Supported by the body portion 60 of the chuck member are jaws 66, any number of which may be provided, and which may be provided with serrated faces 67.

These jaws 66 have portions which encompass the periphery of the member 60 and are freely slidable with respect to the member 60, springs 68 being provided between shoulders 69 on the jaws and shoulders 70 on the body portion 60 of the chuck member and which springs 68 tend normally to retract the jaws. Carried by each of the jaws 66 is a bearing member 71 with which the cam or wedge shaped member 59 co-operates.

iVhen the member 59 is in an elevated position as shown in Figure 1, the springs 68 will retract the jaws 66, but when the cam or wedge shaped member 59 is in the position shown in Figure 2, the jaws 66 will be forced outwardly so as to engage the inner face of the annular member 72 which forms the rim of the wheel to be curled, and which rim encompasses the jaws 66.

Fluid is supplied to the upper side of the. piston 39 in the cylinder 32 through the medium of a suitable passage 73 which preferably opens through the pressure pad 19 and discharges into the cylinder 32, fluid under the desired pressure being supplied through wedge shaped device 59, which is provided 73 by means of a suitable pipe 74 le passages 42 and fluid will then be supplied to' the cylinder 32 on both sides of the piston 39' tons 17.

mg from a suitable source of supply.

The operatien briefly stated is as follows;

The wheelrim 72 (particular reference being had to Figure 1 ,the edges of which areto be curled, is place in position-inthepress so as to encompass the chuck member and jaws 66. The rim isinitially supported in any desired or suitable manner (not shown).

The ram 15 of the press will then start. to

' descend. Fluid under pressure will be ad mitted into the cylinder 32 through the pipe 74 and passage 73.

.As the valves 43 will be opened and held unseated by the engagement of the end of the upright 35 with the member 46 between the valves 43, the fluid will flow through the and at the same pressure. The fluid will be prevented from escaping from'the cylinder by reason of the fact that the end of the passage 36 will be closed by the member 46.

Fluid will also be admitted into the cylinders-16 forming the cushions, above the pis- When the ram 15 starts to descend the rods 28 will lower the crosshead 29 from the position shown in Figure 1, which will lower the member 35. The connecting member 44 forming a closure for the opening 36 in the member 35 together with the valves 43 will move with respect to the piston 39 and will follow the member 35, assisted by the spring 45, until the valves 43 are closed, thereby shutting ofi' communication between the cylinder on the top side of the piston with the portion-of the cylinder on the bottom side of the piston. A continued lowering movement of the ram 15 and crosshead 29 together with the member 35 will cause the extremity of the latter to move away from the member 44,. thereby opclnn g the passage 36 in the member 35 (see particularly Figure 2) so that all of the fluid in the cylinder 32 on the lower side of the piston 39 will escape to the atmosphere through the passage 36 and opening 37.

l to the bodg upon the extension 26 of the pressure pad19. 4 As the member 59 is lowered the jaws 66'will be forced outwardly, or separated, causingthe faces 67 thereof tocontact with the inner face of the rim'72, thereby gripping and holding the rim against slip ing with respect to the chuck or jaws thereoil All of these operations take place before the die 14 carried by the ram 15 contacts with the upper edge of the rim 72 or until thelparts assume the position shown in Figure 2.

A continued movement of the ram 15 dowm wardly will cause'the rim 72 to be forced by :the die 14 engag ng one edge thereofiinto contact with the le 13 engaging over the edge of the rim and a further movement of the die 14 toward the die 13, when these two dies are in contact with the respective ed es of the rim 72, will cause the respective e ges of the rim to be curled as at? 5-7 6, and during this operation the pressure pad 19 will be lowered against the resistance pressure created in the cylinders 16.

When the ram reaches the limit*of its lowermost movement and starts to ascend, the

pressure pad 19 will be raised by the fluid pressure in the cylinders 16 but the jaws 66 of the chuck will remainin binding relation with the rim 72 by reason of the fact that the piston 39 will be maintained in its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 3, until the pressure pad 19 contacts with the lower face of the bolster plate 12 as all of the parts are supported by the pressure pad 19 and the pressure pad in turn is supported by the cushioning device or cylinders 16. I

As the pressure pad 19 moves towards the bolster plate 12 the rim 72 with its curled edges will be elevated. with respect to the die 13 and the die 14 will be moved away from the rim as the ram 15 continues to ascend.

Before the ram reaches the limit of its upward movement the end of the upright member 35 will contact with the member 44 that forms a closure for the. passage 36 and by a continued upward movement of the ram 15 the member 35 will operate upon the member 44 to unseat oropen the valves 43, thereby opening communication between the top and the bottom of the cylinder 32 on opposite sides of the piston 39, so that the fluid pressure in the cylinder 32 on opposite sides of the piston 39 will be counterbalanced and the piston 39 will then be moved or raised in the cylinder 32 by the operation of the member 35 thereon until the piston39 has been raised sufiiciently to raisethe cam or wedge shaped member 59 with respect to, the body 60 of the chuck thereby permitting the springs 68 to retract the jaws66 of the chuck. to release the finished rim 72. The latter maythen be removed'from the machine.

.The cushions 16 are provided for'supporting the mechanism and they also operate to equalize the curling of the edges of the rim and as they yield under the ressure of the.

ram through the medium 0 the' rim they will operate as a balance. Furthermore, they will also operate to maintain the gripping I jaws of thechuck located centrally with re-. spect to the rim-and willv prevent the rim from slipping with respect to the jaws after the rim is once gripped by the jaws.

vention.

What is claimed as new is 1. In combination, a stationary die, a movable die co-operating therewith, a chuck device for gripping and holding the work to be operated upon, resilientliy yielding means i for supporting said chuck evice, and means responsive in its action to the movement of said movable die for rendering said chuck device active and inactive.

2. In combination, a stationary die, a movable die co-operating therewith, a chuck device for gripping and holding the work to be operated upon, resiliently yielding means for supporting said chuck device, and .fluid pressure controlled means res onsive in its 0 eration to the operation 0 the movable die for rendering said chuck device active and inactive.

3. In combination, a stationary die, a movable die co-operating therewith, a chuck device for gripping and holding the work to be operated upon, resiliently yielding means for supporting said chuckdevice for bodily movement with the work, and means responsive in its operation to the operation of the said movable die for rendering the said chuck device active and inactive.

4. In combination, a stationary die, a movable die co-operating therewith, a chuck device for gripping and holding the work, fluid pressure controlled means yieldingly supporting said chuck device for bodily movement with the workand while said device remains active with respect to the work, fluid pressure controlled means for rendering said chuck device active and inactive, and means for automatically controlling the last recited fluid pressure controlled means.

5. A press of the character described embodying a chuck device for gripping and holding the Work, a movably mounted support for said chuck device, means yieldingly resisting the movement of said support, means movable with said support and with respect thereto for rendering said chuck device active and inactive, and means responsive to the action of the press and automaticall rendered active at predetermined times in the cycle of operation of the press for rendering said chuck device active and inactive.

6. A press of the character described embodying a chuck device for gripping and holding the work, a movably mounted support for said chuck device, means yieldingly resisting the movement of said support,- means movable with said support and with respect thereto for rendering said chuck device active and inactive, and fluid pressure controlled means responsivetothe action of the press and automaticall rendered active at predetermined times in t e cycle of o eration of the'press for rendering said chuc device active and inactive.

7. A press of the character described emtrolled means also mounted upon said support and movable therewith, sai fluid pressure controlled means operating to render said chuck device active and inactive, and means controlled by the operation of the press for controlling the operation of the last recited fluid pressure controlled means. i

8. A press embodying a chuck device for gripping and holding the work, a movable support upon which the chuck device is mounted, means yieldingly resisting the movement of said support, fluid pressure controlled means for controlling the operation of said chuck device, said fluid pressure controlled means mounted upon said support and embodying a cylinder and piston, means for directing fluid under pressure to one side of the piston to render the chuck device active, means for directing the fluid to the other side as v I of the piston to balance such pressure, and

means automatically operable at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the press for controlling the fluid pressure and the balancing thereof in the cylinder.

9. A press embodying a chuck device for gripping and holding the work, a movable support upon which the chuck device is mounted, means yieldingly resisting the movement of said support, fluid pressure controlled means for controlling the operation of said chuck .device, said fluid pressure controlled means mounted upon said support and embodyinga cylinder and piston, means for directing fluid under pressure to one side of the piston to render the chuck device active, means for directing the fluid to the other side of the piston-to balance such pressure, and means controlled from a movable part of the press for automatically controlling the fluid pressure and the balancing thereof in the cylinder.

10. A press embodying a chuck device for gripping and holding the work, a movable support upon which said device is mounted for movement therewith and with respect thereto, fluid pressure controlled means for rendering said chuck device active and inactive and embodying a cylinder and piston, a valved passageway for conveying fluid from one side to the other side of the piston, means for admitting fluid-under pressure on one side of the piston when the valve is closed, means operable to permit the fluid to escape closed, and means operating automatically to control the last recited means.

from one side of the piston when said valve is *11. A press embodym a chuck device for gripping and holding t e work, a movable support uponwhich said device is mounted one side to the other side of the piston, means for admitting fluid under pressure on one side of the piston when the valve is closed, means operable to permit the fluid to escape from one side of the piston when said valve is closed, and means controlled in its operation fluid to said cylinder on one side of the piston, a valve" controlled by a movable part of the press for directing the fluid from said side of by a movable part of the press for control-' ling the last recited means. I

12. A press embodying a chuck device for gripping and holding the work, fluid pressure controlled means for rendering said device active and inactive and embodying a cylinder and piston, means for directing fluid under pressure to one side of the piston, a valved .passage for directing the fluid from one to the other side of the piston to bal-- ance the same, means automatically operating'at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation. of the press to cause said valve to be closed, and means operating to form an escape for the fluid on one side of the piston when said valve is closed;

13. -A press'embodying a work holder, a movable support therefor, fluid pressure means for controlling the operation of said work holder with respect to said support and embodying a cylinder and piston, means for supplyingfluid to said cylinder on one side of the piston, a valve controlled by a movable part of the press for directing the fluid from said side of the piston to the other'side thereof, the said valve also operating to confine the fluid on the first said side of the piston, and means responsive in its operation to a movable part of the press for controlling the operation of the said valve, the last said meansalso operating to permit the fluid to escape from one side of the piston when said valve isclosed;

14. A press embodying a' work holder, a movable support therefor, means for yieldingly resisting the movement of said support in one direction, fluid pressure means for controlling the operation of said work. holder with respect to said support and embodying a cylinder-and-piston, means for supplying the piston-to the other side thereof, the said valve also operating to confine the fluid on the first saidflside of the piston, and means responsive initsfoperation to a movable part of the pressfor controlling the operation of the said valve, the last said mi; 6 36i ating to lpermit the fluid to esca e from one side of t 0 piston when said va ve is closed.

15.' A press embed" a a work holder, a movable support there or, fluid pressure means for resisting the movement of said support in one direction, fluid pressure means holder with respect to said support and embodying a cylinder and piston, means for supplying fluid to said cylinder on one side of the piston, a valve controlled by a movable part of the press for directing the fluid from said side of the piston to the other side thereof, the said valve also operatin to confine the fluid on the first said side 0 the piston,

and means responsive in its operation to a movable part of the press for controlling the operation of the said valve, the last said means also operating to permit the fluid to escape from one side of the piston when said valve is closed. I

16. A press embodyin a chuck devicefor gripping and holding t e work, a support therefor, a chuckoperating device, a relatively movable cylinder and piston one of .for controlling the operation of said work which is operatively connected with said operating device for actuating the same, means for supplying the cylinder on one side of the piston with a fluid under pressure, a'valved passage for directing the fluid to the-other side of the piston, a memberconnected with a movable part of the press for actuating the Y valve to open said passage, and a passageway in said member operating to ermit thelfluid to esca e from one side of t said va ve is closed.

17 A press embodyin a chuck devicefor gripping and holding t e work, a-support therefor, a chuck. operating device, a relatively movable cylinder and piston one of whic is operatively connected with said operating device for actuating the same, means for supplying the c linder on one side, of the piston with a uid' under ressu're, ,a valved passage for directing the uid to the other side of the piston, a member connected with a movable part of the press for actuating the valve to open said passage, a passageway in 'said member operating to ermit the fluid said va ve is closed, and means; for closin the said passageway when'sald valve is open the piston will-be e ualized.

18. A press'embo ying a work holder, fluid pressure means for controlling-the-operation of said work holder and embodying a relae 1coe piston when i 7 to esca e from one side of t e piston when 4 tively movable cylinderjand pis't on,' m'eans for supplying fluid to one side off 'the' is'ton, a valved passa e: for directin" the flu'i to the other side of t epistonto ba ance said pressure, a member responsive in its operation to the operation of amovable partofthe press for opening said valve, a passage through said member for plermitting fluid to escape from one side of t e piston when said valve is closed,and means operating to close the last said passage when the said valve is 5 opened. v

19. Apress embodying a work holder, fluid pressure means for controlling the-operation of said work holder and embodying a 'relatively movable cylinder and piston, means m for sup lying fluid to one side of the iston, a valvegpassage for directin the flui to the other side of t e piston to b anoe said pressure, a member responsive in its operation to the operation of a movable part of the press 15 for opening said valve, a passa e through said member'for ermitting fiui to escapefrom one side of t e piston when said valve is closed, means operating to close the last said passage when the said valve is o I ened,

means supporting the said work hol er for bodily movement, and means yieldingly resisting such bodily movement of the work holder.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 5 name to this specification, o'n this2nd day of March, A. D. 192

FREDRICH J. RODE. 

